"The Cat Came Back...As a Lady! Fancy that."
Although the heroine divides her time between human and
animal form, this is not to be mistaken for a shapeshifter
tale. It is an enchantment reminiscent of The Little
Mermaid or the Swan Princess. The heroine's transformation
is conditional on her winning the love of her beloved, in a
given period of time. Whoever said that his dog is a man's best friend certainly
didn't know Nicholas Goodman. Nick is a man who has it all,
a high-powered job with a lucrative salary and a high
maintenance fiancée to complete the package. So why isn't
he particularly happy? Nick had been forced into responsibility early. In his
first
year of college his parents had died leaving no insurance,
and the care of his kid sister to Nick, who now feels
compelled to make sure that he and his sister never lack
security again. Never mind that he was much happier working
in the DA's office, or that he had once been able to get
home in time for dinner, before he'd joined the prestigious
law firm billing hours for well-heeled clients. Never mind
that his fiancé refers to their impending nuptials as a
partnership, while skirting the issue of love entirely.
Never mind that he is being compelled to obtain a business
for the firm's biggest client, using whatever means are
necessary, no matter how dirty. That the client is also
his fiancées father, whose wishes must be fulfilled if Nick
is to not to be passed over for a partnership this year, is
also a factor. Failure would be the kiss of death. Yes,
his life is going just great. Well at least his cat Maggie loves him unconditionally, and
he loves her right back. He had saved her as a stray and
even his fiancée can't persuade him to part with her.
Maggie is different, special. Her soul has always been more
human than cat. Though her reasoning is undeveloped, she
knows that she dislikes Nicholas' fiancée, and she knows
she
loves Nick. In fact she wants him all to herself, and to
that end she approaches Old Tom, a one-eyed cat with an
impossible request. Thus begins the enchantment. Naturally there are conditions. There is the time limit.
Nick must admit his love for Maggie aloud before the week
ends, and Maggie will only take the form of a woman
at night, remaining a cat by day. Good thing Nick keeps all
those late hours, even on his birthday. Nick's laid back best friend Hoop has convinced him to
kick back for a few hours to celebrate. But upon opening
the door to leave, Nick is greeted by a lovely and very
naked woman, obviously his friend's twisted idea of a
joke. Oddly enough the woman's name is Maggie, the very
same as Nick's now missing cat. The woman is lost and
confused and soon Nick is too. His head tells him to do
the honorable thing and send her away, but his heart is a
different matter. Maggie's got a lot on her side, beauty, innocence, and
genuine affection for Nick. Add to that the support of
Nick's best friend, and his whimsical sister Deena (she's
conversed with a fairy), who like her as much as they
despise Nick's fiancée, the Ice Queen. How can she fail?
Our friend Nick has a lot more to keep him awake nights
now, but can he exchange his carefully planned future for
another one that will bring him pure joy but no security?
Will his sense of honor and duty get in the way of their
happiness? Get ready for Halloween and look out for black
cats! Oh and if you see a beautiful woman snacking on kitty
treats well......... This story was filled with humor and as with all good fairy
tales, there is a moral ... money can buy a lot of things
but
never love. A fun read particularly if you "fancy" cats! Copyright © 2000
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted April 25, 2002
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